According to rumors, Man City of the Premier League may try to sabotage Bayern Munich’s acquisition of Kim Min-Jae from Napoli.
Pep Guardiola is looking to strengthen his team after winning the Treble, therefore the Citizens are trying to sign a new center-back during the summer transfer window.
According to trade specialist Fabrizio Romano, Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig has emerged as their main target, and Man City are prepared to “push again” for the Croatian.
In his Caught Offside column, Romano stated: “Man City will push again for top target Josko Gvardiol after [Mateo] Kovacic is finished. Personal terms are about to be agreed upon with the young defender from Croatia. In order to keep the player, RB Leipzig is still looking for a much higher price than the rumored €80 million.
Man City ‘may make a late swoop for’ Napoli center-back Kim, according to Football Insider, as Man Utd is reportedly close to terminating discussions.
The South Korean defender has been the subject of months of rumors linking him to Manchester United, and in May there were reports stating that a trade was “practically done.”
Kim may have even bid his Napoli teammates farewell and packed up his home, according to rumors that claim the center-back has “never been so close” to joining Manchester United.
However, a story from a week ago said that Bayern Munich had ‘hijacked’ Man Utd and that Kim, whose €50 million release clause may be activated between July 1 and July 15, was now ‘near to full agreement’ with the Bundesliga champions.
Football Insider add:
‘Bayern remain in pole position to sign Kim in this summer window – but Man City are now monitoring the defender’s situation ahead of a potential swoop.’
This week, Romano said, “Here we go,” regarding Man City’s Mateo Kovacic deal, with Chelsea poised to get £25 million with a further $5 million in add-ons.
“Mateo Kovacic joins Manchester City from Chelsea, fee agreed and done deal — here we go!” he said on Twitter.
“Clubs just reached an agreement for a £30 million fee. Prior to two weeks ago’s personal terms agreement, Kovacic exclusively desired Man City. upcoming medical appointments. Pep’s new midfielder.
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley also believes Kovacic is a “terrific player” for Man City and checks “a lot of boxes” for the team.
“I think this is great business at that price. I think he’s a terrific player who can do a bit of everything. Doesn’t score a lot of goals but scores some great ones. Good passer, good vision, tenacious, and can defend. He ticks a lot of boxes,” Burley told ESPN.